Predatory versatility and intraspecific interactions ofSupunna picta(Araneae: Clubionidae)

Abstract

Abstract Unlike most clubionids, which are nocturnal, drab coloured, hunting spiders, Supunna picta is a highly active diurnal spider with distinctive markings. How this spider interacts with prey and conspecifics was investigated, and the evolutionary significance of this unusual spider’s behaviour is discussed. S. picta is shown to be a versatile predator which not only catches prey cursorially; it also builds a web it uses for detecting prey and invades alien webs where it catches insects and the resident spiders. Unlike some web-invading spiders from other families, S. picta does not use aggressive mimicry when in alien webs. S. picta has a very rapid, erratic style of locomotion which seems to be important in both prey capture and in escape from its own predators. During intraspecific interactions, S. picta performs distinct display behaviours, interactions at and away from webs being similar. Males cohabit with subadult females in webs and mate after they mature. Females make flat, papery egg sacs, more like the egg sacs of many gnaphosid spiders than the typical egg sacs of clubionids.